It’s the last weekend before Halloween, and there’s seasonal stuff going on all across Windsor-Essex this Saturday and Sunday.

From fright mazes with live performers to costume parties that include the family dog, here’s a roundup of things to do if you’re in a pumpkin-y mood.

Live performers at Scarehouse Windsor (576 Ouellette Ave.), Oct. 2015.

Scarehouse Windsor

(576 Ouellette Ave.)

This three-floor terrorfest in downtown Windsor is meant for adult audiences. Dare you wander the haunted halls where hundreds of people died horribly 40 years ago? Open 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. every night from now up to and including Halloween. Admission at the door is $15. Visit www.scarehousewindsor.com for details. Call 519-981-EVIL or email boo@scarehousewindsor.com to arrange a group rate.

Hallowoof Fun Run & Walk

(Dieppe Gardens, 78 Riverside Dr. W.)

It’s Halloween fun for the whole family — including the furry members — this Sunday on Windsor’s riverfront. Proceeds from this sponsored five-kilometre event benefit the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society. Dog walkers welcome. There’ll be prizes for best costumes, pet and person. Registration opens 10 a.m. and the run/walk begins at noon. $20 registration fee. Visit windsorhumane.org for more info.

A scene in the Haunted Greenhouse at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens, Oct. 2015.

Colasanti Gardens Haunted Greenhouse & Horror Hedgemaze

(1550 Road 3 E., Kingsville)

Now in their 19th year, the Halloween attractions of Colasanti Gardens are a long-running tradition. Open this Saturday and Sunday, as well as the night of Oct. 30. Starts 6 p.m. Outdoor attractions will not run if there’s rain. Admission is $11.95 plus tax for the greenhouse, $11.95 plus tax for the hedgemaze. Visit www.colasanti.com for more details. May not be suitable for young children.

A Rockin’ Halloween Concert

(Royal Canadian Legion Br. 261, 12326 Lanoue St., Tecumseh)

The Greater Windsor Concert Band presents a Halloween-themed event for all ages on Sunday afternoon. Featuring the music of Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters, Harry Potter, Scooby Doo, and more. Show up in costume and you may win a prize. Concert begins 3 p.m. General admission is $10, seniors and students get in for $8, families for $30. Visit www.greaterwindsorconcertband.ca or call 519-977-3375 for more.

The entrance of Reaper’s Gate (3150 California Ave.), Oct. 2015.

Reaper’s Gate

(3150 California Ave.)

The backyard of this private residence is annually transformed into a maze of frights — for a good cause. Admission is a non-perishable food item or monetary donation for street help efforts. Open this Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. May not be suitable for young children.

Haunted Fort Malden Tours

(100 Laird Ave. S., Amherstburg)

Amherstburg’s national historic site is full of dark secrets. Listen to Victorian-era tales of woe and beware the ghostly presence of lost soldiers. Open this Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting, as well as the night of Oct. 30. Tickets are $9.80. Hours are 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call 519-736-5416 to check availability.

A devilish dog at Pet Valu Riverside’s Halloween party in Oct. 2014.

Pet Valu Riverside Halloween Costume Party

(8420 Wyandotte St. E.)

Humans and canines alike are invited to get into character for this pet store costume party on Saturday night. There’ll be prizes for best human costume, best dog costume, and best combined costume (human and dog). Attendance is free. Happens 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., with the costume contest starting 7:30 p.m. Call 519-944-7813 for details.

For the Love of Paws Howl’Ween Bash

(Silver Tee Golf & Gaming Centre, 1360 Highway 3, Oldcastle)

Four-legged friends are welcome at this Halloween party by For the Love of Paws Animal Rescue. Featuring adoptable dogs, outdoor activities, barbecue, bake sale, pony rides and more. Happens Sunday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $2. Go to www.fortheloveofpawsanimalrescue.com.

Young attendees of the In Honour of the Ones We Love Spooktacular Halloween Party in Oct. 2014.

Spooktacular Family Halloween Party

(Ciociaro Club Pavilion, 3740 North Talbot Rd.)

Cancer patient charity In Honour of the Ones We Love presents its fourth annual child-oriented Halloween celebration on Sunday. There’ll be prizes for best costumes, music, games, activities, pumpkins, and candy for all, Meet Sunshine the Clown and a jumbo-sized Minion. Admission is free. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit www.inhonour.ca or call 519-966-2960 for details.

Kids’ Pumpkin Party and Halloween Skate

(Windsor Ice Park, 3400 Grand Marais Rd. E.)

The Optimist Club of Riverside presents a free skating event for the whole family on Sunday. Bring your costumes and your skates to Windsor Ice Park for ice time at no cost. If you don’t have skates, a selection of sizes will be available to borrow. There’ll also be pumpkins for decorating fun. Happens 1 to 3 p.m. Helmets are mandatory on the ice.

At the entrance of the Haunted Barn at Thiessen Apple Orchards in Leamington, Oct. 2015.

Thiessen Orchards Haunted Barn and Corn Maze

(400 Talbot Rd. E., Leamington)

There are things other than apples lurking in these orchards. Open this Saturday and the night of Oct. 30, weather permitting. Hours are from dusk to 10 p.m. Admission is $12 for the Haunted Barn, $10 for the Corn Maze, or $20 for both. Go to www.thiessenorchards.com for more info. Not recommended for kids under 12.

Xtreme Halloween Dance Party

(624 Chilver Rd., Suite 103)

There’ll be costumes, games, food, and plenty of body motion at this Windsor dance school’s Halloween bash for kids on Saturday. Happens 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $10. Visit www.xtremedanceworks.com or call 519-256-2732.

dchen@windsorstar.com

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Deer mating season means your chances of hitting one with your car jumps in the fall.

That has the Ontario Provincial Police warning drivers to slow down and be on the lookout for deer. So far this year there have already been about 120 vehicle collisions involving deer in the Essex County areas policed by the OPP, said Const. Stephanie Moniz Friday.

Whatever you do don’t swerve around deer, she said.

“If you do see one don’t veer out of your lane. Nobody wants to kill an animal but if it’s between killing the animal and hitting another car head-on you’re going to want to hit the deer,” said Moniz who said she saw a dead deer on the side of the road as she drove to work Thursday.

Amale deer is shown on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, at the Ojibway Park in Windsor, Ont.

Police say every year officers respond to deer-car collisions and often people are injured. They are reminding drivers to wear their seatbelts.

Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer Kevin Sprague said bucks, male deer, will be chasing does around all fall.

Other factors in deer collisions which tend to peak in November include hunting and daylight savings time. Sprague said it is bow hunting season for deer here now and in November a gun hunt will be allowed in certain areas of Essex County. That’s an added incentive for deer to be on the move.

In the fall it gets darker earlier so there are more people commuting on dark roads, he said.

Tips on avoiding a deer collision:

Drivers are most at risk of a car-deer collision while driving from sunset to midnight and the hours before and after sunrise, the OPP warn.

If you know an area has deer such as wooded areas, drive with caution and remember if you see one deer, there are likely others nearby.

If you see deer, slow down and honk your horn with a long blast to try to scare them away. If they are on or near the road, brake firmly and stay in your lane.

Use high beam headlights at night when there is no oncoming traffic to have a better chance of seeing the eyes of deer.

If I hit a deer what do I do?

Report it to police. Even if there is no damage to your car and you aren’t injured report it so police can pass on the information to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Moniz said.

Can I keep the deer for food if it’s killed in a collision?

Yes but you need to fill out a form. You can keep deer that are roadkill whether you hit it or not if you register it promptly with what’s called a notice of possession.

shill@windsorstar.com

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In the wake of the announced closure of Harrow high school, Greater Essex County District School Board Essex-Kingsville trustee Julia Burgess held a public meeting Monday night to explain her side of the situation, offered to resign and accused board administration of not being forthright.

“I want to thank everybody for the support you’ve shown me in the past week,” an emotional Burgess told about 50 supporters during the meeting at St. Andrews Anglican Church.

“I want to thank you for the last 15 years for allowing me to be your trustee.”

Burgess, who was chair of the board prior to last year’s elections, told the crowd she had no idea that Harrow was potentially on the chopping block in administration’s minds, and used information on her campaign brochures that indicated Harrow was safe.

In fact, she believed the eventual plan was to make Harrow a kindergarten to Grade 12 school.

“When I was chair, not one person in administration told me Harrow was up for review,” said Burgess.

“I resent it. But I feel that I led you down the garden path because I thought they should have told me that that was part of the plan. To lead me into an election not knowing was unconscionable. I gave them the trust they didn’t deserve.”

Julia Burgess talks with concerned residence during a information session about the closure of Harrow High School in Harrow on Monday, Oct. 26, 2015.

Burgess said that under Bill 177, the Student Achievement and School Governance Act of 2009, a trustee is required to uphold every decision made by the board whether they agree with it or not.

“It’s democracy and you have to uphold it,” said Burgess, stating the she couldn’t agree with the Harrow decision and suggested she should therefore resign.

“The only thing I can do is tender a resignation. I’m here to say I’m sorry and I feel like I’m here under false pretences.”

But several people in the crowd asked her to remain, citing her depth of knowledge and understanding of the educations system, and noting that her resigning would only reinforce the wrongs that have already been done.

“We were very pleased with you fighting to the end,” said supporter Trudy Richards.

“We need you there.”

Burgess said that while school boards are supposed to be free of political banners, that isn’t always the case.

“I wish I could say that partisan and other politics don’t enter into school boards, but they do,” Burgess told the crowd.

Julia Burgess talks with concerned residence during a information session about the closure of Harrow High School in Harrow on Monday, Oct. 26, 2015.

She also said she is “struggling having this professional-trustee relationship.”

Burgess then asked the crowd for guidance on what her next steps should be, but all told her to stay on regardless.

Essex Mayor Ron McDermott said he was able to bring the issue up with Premier Kathleen Wynne during her recent visit to the area and she sounded interested and concerned.

As the conversation continued, talk moved to the touchy issue of having public and Catholic school boards.

“I believe we need two publicly-funded school boards in both official languages,” said Burgess.

She said separating the public and Catholic systems is an archaic throwback to confederation that is out of place in a modern, multicultural society.

cthompson@windsorstar.com

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Rick Fortin plays a daily guessing game when it comes to finding his mail.

Some mornings, the Tecumseh resident opens his door and it’s right there, tucked inside his own personal mailbox.

Other days, he walks over to the community box that was installed in his neighbourhood at Little River Road and Grace Road and finds it there.

“You just don’t know what’s going on,” Fortin said. “But it sure is nice to open up the door and look at the mailbox and see it there.”

Canada Post announced plans Monday to temporarily suspend its transition from door-to-door delivery to community boxes in acknowledgement of a new federal Liberal government that opposes the plan.

However, Monday’s announcement made it clear that those already collecting mail in community boxes will continue to do so.

That affects thousands of residents locally in Tecumseh and east Riverside where community boxes were hastily installed in late August.

“There has to be other ways to save the money they need to save while still delivering mail to the door,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “Especially in established neighbourhoods where they’re used to it.”

Fortin battles a number of health issues that make it challenging to walk across the street for mail.

“I hope they rip everything out and restore it back to house-to-house delivery,” he said.

Problems with the way Fortin’s community box was installed were just addressed last week. Like a number of others in the area, the box was placed on a raised bed of stone and cement that left the base significantly above ground level, making the units inaccessible to the disabled.

A Windsor resident places mail in a new Canada Post mailbox in the 11000 block of Riverside Drive in this 2015 file photo.

Recently workers removed the box and dug a deeper hole before reinstalling it.

Other residents complained about boxes placed along busy stretches of road such as Riverside Drive and at the corner of Little River and Manning Road.

“I didn’t receive a lot of concerns about the community mailboxes, for or against, the big issue was the location,” said city Coun. Irek Kusmierczyk. “It’s my understanding administration and Canada Post have been in communication and I believe an order has been placed to get them off Riverside Drive.”

Kusmierczyk said another box placed on a flood-prone section of Elinor Street will also be moved.

A call to the Canada Post official in charge of local delivery planning was not returned.

There were 14 community boxes installed in east Riverside last summer.

Canada Post proposed 135 community boxes for Tecumseh.

Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara said the real winners from Monday’s announcement are other communities that were scheduled for installation of community boxes.

“That doesn’t take away from the concerns of the Town of Tecumseh at this botched-up, ill-conceived and badly-communicated direction Canada Post has taken,” he said.

McNamara plans to have a letter in the mail by week’s end urging the Liberals to keep their promise and restore door-to-door delivery.

“We want to make sure our voice is not forgotten,” he said.

Lynn Labranche said she’d love to have mail service at the door of her Woodridge Drive home again.

“We ended up with a community box and I don’t like it,” the Tecumseh senior said. “It’s all right in this weather but come winter it’s not going to be. Rain and snow does not appeal to me.”

mcaton@windsorstar.com

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Felicia Doucet has seen a steady climb in sales since opening up a storefront operation in Windsor for her spray tanning business.

Life as a fledgling entrepreneur has gone relatively smoothly, she said, except for one complaint: the $500 in total fees required by the city for an outdoor, A-frame sign used to advertise daily specials.

“The sidewalk is considered public property but I thought, ‘Wow that’s steep.’”

Windsor is among 121 urban centres ranked in an annual study by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business that looks at the country’s best entrepreneurial communities.

With an overall score of 55.4 out of 100 Windsor ranked 62nd, just below Quesnel, B.C., (61) but ahead of Hamilton (67), Chatham-Kent (84), London (89) and Sarnia (119).

Leamington was ranked 15th overall with a score of 67.3.

Top spot was occupied by municipalities surrounding Calgary, while Montreal was dead last.

Rankings used more than a dozen indicators to assess a city’s entrepreneurial environment. They were based on three factors such as the concentration of entrepreneurs and startup rate, level of optimism among business owners and supportive or harmful local government tax and regulatory policies.

Downtown Windsor is seen in this file aerial photo.

Windsor, which was grouped with major centres, did well when it came to local governments with polices supportive of business. The city cracked the top 10 list in that category by securing eighth spot. But, the city received low marks when it came to the concentration of entrepreneurs and startup rate.

In the mid-size category, Leamington ranked first for municipalities with diverse economies that have plenty of  startups and show above-average growth in the number of business establishments. It also ranked high on business satisfaction.

Leamington has bounced back from the last year’s closure of the H.J. Heinz plant, the town’s biggest employer, said Ted Mallett, vice-president and chief economist at CFIB.

“Businesses there tend to be very optimistic,” Mallett said, noting that Leamington scored 28 out of 35 on that variable. It also has a relatively high concentration of businesses and startups — an area in which Windsor received lower scores, said Mallett.

“The stronger the entrepreneurial base, the better the community can withstand an economic shock,” he said.

While Windsor passed its seventh consecutive budget with a zero per cent property tax hike, it imposes a heavier burden on businesses compared to residents,  said Mallett.

“In Windsor, a commercial property valued at $200,000 will pay 2.57 times the level of tax than that of a $200,000 residential property,” he said.

Matt Marchand, CEO of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, said his organization is working with the city to alleviate red tape faced by businesses.

“We’re working on speeding up processing times for development permits and city approvals on projects,” said Marchand. “There’s been some good dialogue and we’re seeing some positive results particularly on the time it takes to get permits.”

But regulatory issues are only one factor when it comes to helping out businesses. Doucet said events such as the recent SmallBiz-BigBuzz Expo enabled her to connect with customers.

The event, organized by the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre, drew more than 400 people and more than 40 local entrepreneurs.

“As an entrepreneur, starting my own business was the most rewarding decision I’ve ever made,” said Doucet, who in June opened Fake It Spray Tan and Beauty Bar on Erie Street.

“I had confidence knowing that the WindsorEssex Small Business Centre was there to support me every step of the way. Exhibiting at the Expo is just one more way the small business centre is helping me to brand and grow my business.”

gmacaluso@windsorstar.com

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While the Windsor-Essex Catholic District Board has slowed its decline in enrolment, it isn’t enough to avoid revisiting accommodation reviews — which often lead to school closures — to address over-capacity issues this year.

“The numbers coming in are smaller than the number of Grade 12s we’re graduating,”said Terry Lyons, executive superintendent of human resources. “We continue to face enrolment pressures and we have to find some efficiencies and ways to better utilize space.”

Lyons shared the latest enrolment figures with the board of trustees at Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting.

The last time the board did an accommodation review was two years ago in the Riverside/Tecumseh area.

However, the WECDSB still has 3,100 empty student spaces and the Ministry of Education is pressuring all of the province’s 72 school boards to eliminate excess capacity.

Last year, the province spent more than $1 billion on maintaining under-utilized buildings.

“It’s the last thing you want to do as a board, but you don’t want to spend money on maintaining empty buildings,” Lyons said.

“We’d much prefer to spend that money on student programming than maintenance.”

There have been no schools identified for review, but the next step in launching the process will come next month.

“Nothing has been done yet before we go to the trustees,” Lyons said. “That will come in November.”

Director of education Paul Picard has previously stated the ideal number of empty spaces, which is necessary to accommodate growth, is around 1,000.

While all accommodation reviews are challenging, the board faces a new wrinkle this time around having gone through reviews of all its families of schools.

“There isn’t an obvious place where there’s trouble,” Lyons said. “The declines are spread all over.”

On the positive side, Lyons was able to share with trustees that things aren’t as bad as had been forecast.

The board had expected an enrolment dip of about 800 students, but instead came in at a little less than half of that.

As of Sept. 30, the elementary panel has 13,134 students, which is a decline of 170 from last year.

Some of the elementary losses were stemmed by the addition of 281 non-Catholic students who took advantage of the board opening its doors to any elementary student as long as they agreed to take part in religious programming.

At the secondary level, enrolment is down 227 students to 7,251. Overall, the board has 20,385 students.

“We haven’t got our final numbers for October, which we will give to the ministry, for our General Student Needs grant,” Lyons said.

“We believe those will be a little bit better. It’ll have a positive impact on the budget.”

The fuller classrooms also mean the board was able to recall most of the 130 teachers issued layoff notices last spring.

Of the 121 elementary teachers laid off, Lyons said fewer than 30 remain off the job. All nine secondary school teachers laid off have been recalled.

dwaddell@windsorstar.com

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The Town of Lakeshore is considering turning a functional investment in a new jetty at the mouth of the Belle River into a recreational one that would extend 150 metres out into Lake St. Clair.

The jetty, which would be 125 metres longer than what exists, could be topped with a boardwalk between 2.4 and 4.4 metres wide.

“I’d like to see the boardwalk plan carried right through,” Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain said. “It ties in nicely to the top–notch facilities we already have there. It’s a matter of completing the picture.”

Bain said the town has already invested more than $3-million in the waterfront park and marina.

Council received a report from Landmark Engineering at Tuesday’s meeting. It suggested that by double-walling the jetty it would also extend the breakwall’s life from 10 to 20 years to more than 50 years.

A bare bones extension of a double-walled jetty, without a boardwalk, is estimated to cost $700,000 to $800,000 plus another $120,000 for an environmental assessment.

The Belle River breakwall is seen on Oct. 27, 2015 in Belle River, Ont

A jetty with a boardwalk with accompanying shade structures and recreational furniture would add $120,000 to $170,000 to the project.

Bain said he’d like to see the project completed in a year, but admits he’s frustrated with the piles of paperwork required from the endless list of governmental agencies.

“I’m disappointed in the resistance to working with us ahead of submitting a final project,” Bain said. “It’ll probably take a couple of years.”

Landmark Engineering president Dan Krutcsh said the longer breakwall would improve safety at the beach by providing more separation from swimmers and boats, improve water quality by directing the river’s flow further out into the lake and better protect against silting at the river’s mouth.

Krutcsh said the project could be completed in phases to lessen the financial pain.

“I would recommend no more than two or three phases,” Krutsch said. “It’s more cost effective to do it in fewer phases.”

Council also received a report from Keystone Bridge Management Corp. that revealed it’ll cost $3.8 million to maintain the town’s collection of 102 bridges and 11 culverts over the next 15 years.

However, the town’s infrastructure was found to be in good repair.

The report recommends setting aside $465,000 per year starting in 2017 to cover the rising long-term costs that will be incurred.

After 2030, between $500,000 and $700,000 will be required annually to fund the necessary repairs and new construction.

dwaddell@windsorstar.com

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There were daily demonstrations but the streets were still largely peaceful when Muftakher Al Hayik and his two oldest sons were arrested by state security on separate occasions in 2012 and anonymously held in Syria’s notorious prison system.

Al Hayik spent almost a month behind bars after he and other lawyers went on strike to protest the widely publicized torture killings of two young children at the hands of government agents. His boys, both university dental program students, spent a similar amount of time being tortured and interrogated after they joined protests sparked by politically active classmates being tossed to their death from university highrises by government thugs.

But lawyer Al Hayik, 51, his wife Lina Alnatour and their seven children wouldn’t flee their homeland until later, after their homes, their wealth and their hopes had all but vanished.

After government shelling damaged their villa in southern Syria, they moved to their city apartment in the capital Damascus, which, unfortunately, according to Al Hayik, was in a neighbourhood of 50,000 people targeted and destroyed by the forces of President Bashir al-Assad. They returned to their damaged villa but, by then, what had started as a peaceful “revolution” had morphed into civil war, with militias, radicals, foreign fighters and government troops locked in a battle of attrition with everyone else in their gunsights.

“All of this was affecting the very fabric of Syrian society, it was like living in the 1800s,” Al Hayik told the Star through an Arabic interpreter. Schools and workplaces shut down, food, when available, was outrageously expensive, and children were ordered to remain indoors, away from the windows whose blinds were always drawn to hide those inside from the snipers outside.

Muftakher Al Hayik and his wife Lina Alnatour are joined by their son Mohamed (centre) as they speak about their journey from Syria to Windsor at their home in Windsor on Tuesday, October 27, 2015.

Eventually, said Al Hayik, it became too much: “We can’t live here anymore, we have to leave to a safer place.”

Unlike the current nightly barrage of news depicting the harrowing stories of thousands of Syrians on a dangerous flight across the Mediterranean to European refuge, Al Hayik lived close to the border, and the family was able to link up with volunteer guides who walked them across the frontier to Jordan. The midnight run was not without danger, dodging patrols and bullets fired in the dark and with two of their guides killed that night on the return trip.

Their first stop was a refugee camp in the desert, and then they found a house in Jordan to live in. But after threats from Syrian government sources, the family once again felt the need to take flight.

Last March, after being designated as refugees by the United Nations and passing through a series of health and security checks by Citizenship and Immigration Canada officers stationed overseas, the family landed in Windsor, but not before being decked out in winter clothing during a Toronto stopover.

“We were shocked by the snow — it was plus-30 (Celsius) when we left Jordan,” said Al Hayik. The family arrived near the end of one of Windsor’s snowiest winters on record.

In the first nine months of this year, 62 Syrian refugees had been brought to Windsor, up from 47 in all of 2014, according to the CIC. The incoming Liberal government has pledged 25,000 Syrian refugees into Canada before the end of the year, but many of those who work with refugees question whether that deadline is feasible.

“My family’s lives are more important than everything else” — Al Hayik

Those who assist refugees say Windsor is “ready and willing” to help. There are close to 90 agencies and organizations belonging to the Windsor Essex Local Immigration Partnership, with a dozen of them funded federally by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, which underwrites the initial settlement costs of all government-sponsored refugees.

“Our strength is we have a very substantial settlement sector in Windsor and the county — there’s a large number already working with newcomers,” said partnership project manager Mary Ellen Bernard, who is Windsor’s manager of social policy and planning.

The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County is the lead agency when it comes to working with government-sponsored refugees, and it was that organization that took Al Hayik, Alnatour and their children under its wing when they arrived.

Shelter is the top priority, and after 16 days at the Days Inn, a home was found near the core and close to Windsor’s most ethnically diverse school. Learning English is the next top priority, and the whole family is enrolled in courses.

Muftakher Al Hayik and his wife Lina Alnatour speak about their journey from Syria to Windsor at their home in Windsor on Tuesday, October 27, 2015.

Told that some Canadians might fear immigrants becoming a costly burden on social programs, Al Hayik says they don’t need to worry, “Syrians are very hard-working,” he said, adding he’s already put out feelers for jobs in his field, perhaps human rights work, legal aid or with a global organization like Amnesty International.

“We have lots of job opportunities … we find jobs for everyone,” said June Muir, CEO of the Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor. Maxine Deleersnyder, supervisor of the UHC’s newcomer program, said there are jobs in such fields as tourism and hospitality available but which are hard to fill because of the low pay, something that doesn’t deter those who have fled for their lives.

“If I’d had any way of sustaining a decent economic life in Syria, of course, I wouldn’t have left, but the situation was dire,” said Al Hayik. “Now, it’s just war across the board.”

“My family’s lives are more important than everything else,” said Al Hayik, whose brother, a wealthy landowner back home, was forced to leave everything behind and ended up with hundreds of thousands of desperate Syrians now trying to make new lives in Germany.

Asked what the biggest surprise has been since arriving in Windsor — aside from the snow — Lina Alnatour pipes in, saying it’s the gender equality she sees in all aspects of Canadian life.

“The women’s rights are amazing here,” she says enthusiastically. “It’s about self-respect, women are more active in society, and I think, ‘Why not me?’ Maybe I can play a bigger role.”

dschmidt@windsorstar.com

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The Windsor Star’s award-winning photographers covered the city and county Tuesday. Check out the gallery.

Ari Freed speaks at the OJC Masterclass Network event on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015, at the Caboto Club in Windsor, Ont.

Mike Ouellette, skills trades training coordinator with Valiant International in Windsor, Ont. displays a pumpkin with a 3D image of Frankenstein. The high-tech carving was done with a CNC machine. The company is offering to carve custom logos into pumpkins to raise funds for a local student robotics group.

A pumpkin is shown in a CNC machine at Valiant International in Windsor, ON. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. The company is offering to carve custom logos into pumpkins to raise funds for a local student robotics group.

A squirrel munches on a pumpkin on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015, in Windsor, Ont.

A 1.5 billion year-old granite bolder is placed out front of the nearly completed Erie Shores Hospice in Leamington. The ‘Child of the Mountain’ has found its new home at the entrance of the new 10 bed Erie Shore Hospice in Leamington. The big rock will be a symbol of recognition of the overwhelming support on behalf the county residents and Council. “This outstanding rock is a symbol of the support from the Essex County community; for their Rock-Solid commitment to care in our region,†explained Co-chair Cole Cacciavillani.

A squirrel munches on a pumpkin on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015, in Windsor, Ont.

Erie Shores Hospice Co-Chair Cole Cacciavillani talks about the 1.5 billion year-old granite bolder that has been placed out front of the nearly completed Erie Shores Hospice in Leamington. The ‘Child of the Mountain’ has found its new home at the entrance of the new 10 bed Erie Shore Hospice in Leamington. The big rock will be a symbol of recognition of the overwhelming support on behalf the county residents and Council. “This outstanding rock is a symbol of the support from the Essex County community; for their Rock-Solid commitment to care in our region,†explained Co-chair Cole Cacciavillani.

Erie Shores Hospice Co-Chair Cole Cacciavillani and elected officials place their hands on a 1.5 billion year-old granite bolder out front of the nearly completed Erie Shores Hospice in Leamington. The ‘Child of the Mountain’ has found its new home at the entrance of the new 10 bed Erie Shore Hospice in Leamington. The big rock will be a symbol of recognition of the overwhelming support on behalf the county residents and Council. “This outstanding rock is a symbol of the support from the Essex County community; for their Rock-Solid commitment to care in our region,†explained Co-chair Cole Cacciavillani.

Erie Shores Hospice Co-Chair Cole Cacciavillani and elected officials place their hands on a 1.5 billion year-old granite bolder out front of the nearly completed Erie Shores Hospice in Leamington. The ‘Child of the Mountain’ has found its new home at the entrance of the new 10 bed Erie Shore Hospice in Leamington. The big rock will be a symbol of recognition of the overwhelming support on behalf the county residents and Council. “This outstanding rock is a symbol of the support from the Essex County community; for their Rock-Solid commitment to care in our region,†explained Co-chair Cole Cacciavillani.

The Belle River breakwall is seen on Oct. 27, 2015 in Belle River, Ont

The Belle River breakwall is seen on Oct. 27, 2015 in Belle River, Ont

Felicia Doucet of FAKE it! Spray Tan and Beauty Bar on Erie Street East Tuesday Oct. 27, 2015.

Percy P. McCallum School students are transfered to another school bus following a collision involving a Pontiac Grand Prix on Bernard Road at Reginald Street Tuesday October 27, 2015. The driver of the Pontiac was assessed at the scene by Essex-Windsor EMS paramedics and no other injuries were reported. Some of the children were taken from the damaged bus by their parents. No students were injured and Windsor Police arrived on the scene quickly to investigate.

Knitting club from Solidarity Towers pose with some of their 2,559 sets of wool hats, scarves and mittens which will be donated to needy families across the area. Vera Keane, left, Val Taylor, Carrol D’Agnolo, Joyce Muldoon, right, along with Carol Renaud, back left and Lynn Robertson, back right, used their time and skill to assemble a roomful of appearal as winter approaches. Windsor Family Credit Union were a financial contributor to the project. Photo taken Tuesday October 27, 2015.

Barbara Jackman and Michael Molloy (right) take part in a town hall conversation on humanitarian crises and refugees at the University of Windsor in Windsor on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015.

Ghai Mattiang spoke at a town hall meeting on the humanitarian crises and refugees at the University of Windsor Tuesday,

Muftakher Al Hayik and his wife Lina Alnatour are joined by their children Shahed, Osama and Omar (left to right) as they speak about their journey from Syria to Windsor at their home in Windsor on Tuesday, October 27, 2015.

Muftakher Al Hayik and his wife Lina Alnatour are joined by their son Mohamed (centre) as they speak about their journey from Syria to Windsor at their home in Windsor on Tuesday, October 27, 2015.

Muftakher Al Hayik and his wife Lina Alnatour speak about their journey from Syria to Windsor at their home in Windsor on Tuesday, October 27, 2015.

Brennan Cardinals Quinn MacIsaac, left, gathers a rebound and carries the ball against Cardinal Carter Cougars Katrina Ingratta, behind, in senior girls basketball from the Brennan gym Tuesday October 27, 2015.

Brennan Cardinals Quinn MacIsaac, left, moves the ball against Cardinal Carter Cougars Katrina Ingratta, behind, in senior girls basketball from the Brennan gym Tuesday October 27, 2015.

Brennan Cardinals guard Sabrina Binjamin, right, is fouled by Cardinal Carter Cougars Hailey Marcus in senior girls basketball from the Brennan gym Tuesday October 27, 2015.

The Essex 73’s Riley Meyerink is checked by the Alvinston Flyers Jeremy VanDeven at the Essex Centre Sports Complex in Essex on Tuesday, October 27, 2015. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

The Essex 73’s William Stadder is checked by the the Alvinston Flyers Blake Hayes at the Essex Centre Sports Complex in Essex on Tuesday, October 27, 2015.

The Essex 73’s Nick Latreille watches as the Alvinston Flyers Joe Stock dumps the puck at the Essex Centre Sports Complex in Essex on Tuesday, October 27, 2015.

A former nurse, lawyer and patient advocate, Monica Staley is drawing on all of her professional expertise in her new role as vice-president of Windsor Regional Hospital’s cancer services. Indeed, she finds that she is still acting as nurse, lawyer and patient advocate every day in her new duties.

“That’s what I love about it,” Staley says.

“I feel that in everything I do, in my involvement and the decisions I have to make and the teams I work with, I always have to think as a nurse. I have to remember the compassion and empathy of a bedside nurse,” she adds.

“I have to advocate by always keeping the focus on what we do, and as a leader, everything we do is for patients and families who are going through on this cancer journey.”

“And as a lawyer, I have to sometimes be fierce and I have to argue and advocate and push, think of policy, think in a larger lens of how this all affects our region and how we can best serve our community.

“I have to use all of those skills and my experience and my education every day to do this job.”

Staley finds, “It’s a great place to be. I’m very honoured. It’s exciting and challenging. It can be overwhelming because it is big.”

However, she knows how to juggle. That ability was honed during her years as a surgical and ER nurse, then balancing childrearing while teaching pediatric advanced life support to hospital medical staff and serving as an adjunct professor at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, followed by studying law at the University of Windsor and working as a lawyer at local firms. Staley spent the past five years as Windsor Regional Hospital’s director of patient relations and legal affairs. 

The accomplished woman’s current portfolio encompasses serving as the regional vice-president of the Windsor hospital’s cancer program and renal dialysis, as well as the Erie St. Clair regional cancer program, Cancer Care Ontario.

“She’s phenomenal,” sums up David Musyj, the hospital’s president and CEO.

“I am thrilled to be part of this program because I really think that the commitment and passion for cancer care on every level is so evident in this community,” Staley says.

She interacts daily with staff and volunteers who are dedicated to doing their jobs well.

Staley appreciates the prevalent attitude toward patients that everyone shares: “We’re going to help support you through your journey. We’re going to think as a team in every way where there are challenges or barriers for you,” she says.

“On a higher level, you get to try to plan for our community and for our people a better way,” Monica Staley says. “That excites me.” – John Chan: Special to Windsor Star

“We have such great support from our community, through our [Windsor Essex County Cancer Centre] Foundation and through events that you read and hear about every day,” Staley observes. “Cancer is very focused and people care about it. They want to know about it; they want to know what we are doing. That’s thrilling. We have the people who want to help us be successful.”

Even so, Staley recognizes there are areas that need improvement. “We have resource barriers, as everybody does. We have bed issues, utilization issues.”

Access is one critical issue that is being examined by the hospital’s strategic plan and by Cancer Care Ontario. “Does every person in our community and region have the same access to our services that they should? I don’t believe we’re there yet. That is, I know, a huge focus,” Staley says.

“As a leader in person-centred care, how can we best deliver a comprehensive service that meets the needs of all, yet still identifies your uniqueness and the special care that you need to support you through your cancer journey and through survivorship?” Staley questions. “Historically, when you heard you had cancer, it was a death sentence. But today, that’s not the case. People are surviving and living wonderful lives with cancer. How do we best support them through the transition from being in treatment to recovery to living the rest of their lives?”

Working with and on behalf of cancer patients is a special privilege for health care professionals.

However, “dealing with cancer patients and families is very emotionally draining,” Staley admits. To stay positive and strong, the “amazing” physicians, nurses and clerks have become a “very close knit group. People are there for each other.”

Immersed in one emotionally charged situation after another, staff can understandably feel their empathy being overtaxed. The Windsor Regional Cancer Program Psychosocial Oncology work plan identified the need to sustain staff in their professional roles so they can continue to provide expert and compassionate care to patients and their families. In response, the hospital now offers cancer program staff opportunity to participate in the new Compassion Fatigue Resiliency Program.

More than 30 multi-disciplinary staff members, including doctors and nurses, were in the program’s first graduating class. Attending the recent ceremony, Staley was pleased to note, “When you saw the energy in that room, it was amazing.”

The program will continue, as will Staley’s determination to enhance support for staff. “I think, as a leader, we always need to keep that as part of our focus. If we don’t take care of our own, how can we take care of our patients in the best way?”

As for herself, Staley continues to learn from the patients who depend on the hospital staff for care. “I’m always humbled and struck by the dignity, the courage and the vulnerability that people have in this position, whether they are a cancer patient or any other patient at Windsor Regional. That vulnerability helps me to be the best I can be.

“When I’m stressed out and running around, thinking about my busy day, I walk through the lobby, I try to look at everybody, smile, say hello and think about what they are waiting for and what they’re here for,” she continues. “It keeps me focused on what I’m here for. It inspires me. I know how important the work is that we’re doing. It’s so vital. They need us and we need them.”

Aging baby boomers comprise a significant portion of the hospital admission lists. Appreciating that getting older can be challenging and even frightening at times, Staley assures, “We’re doing the best we can every day. When we don’t meet your expectations, please call.”

She encourages patients and families to contact her directly or one of the team. “We can’t do better if we’re not delivering and don’t know about it. Sometimes people say, ‘I didn’t want to complain.’ Absolutely, you should complain.”

“If we can do it, we will. If we can’t, we have to be honest and will give you a rationale why we can’t,” Staley says. “When we do do wrong, we acknowledge it. We meet as a team to reflect, to plan and to look at how we can do better next time.”

Staley has high praise for the Patient and Family Advisory Council. “This team is so committed. Our volunteers here in our hospital – they do it like a job. They take it seriously. They are proud of it. You walk around, people who are here want to be here. How can you not want to lead that?”

Knowing how important it is to take time to care for herself, Staley tries to balance her long, busy work days with healthy choices. She works out at 5 or 6 a.m. on her own or with a trainer, runs and does yoga.

One highlight of the day is when “I walk my dogs with my daughters,” Staley says. Lily, the miniature Jack Russell terrier, and George, a Boston terrier, are lively companions that keep up with the energetic mom and her three girls, ages 16, 18 and 23.

Personal time is also reserved for Staley’s fiancé, traveling, puttering in the garden and making favourite and new recipes. “We love to cook,” she says. “I spend all my time when I’m not at work with my family. I stay pretty low profile when I’m not at the hospital because it is so intense.”

When asked what gives her joy, Staley responds without hesitation: “My work gives me joy. And my family, absolutely.” She adds, “My family truly are my best friends.”

Of being VP, Staley says, “It’s such a fun job. It’s exciting. I get to see different people every day. I get to truly serve. That’s always been my thing.”

She observes, “On a higher level, you get to try to plan for our community and for our people a better way. That excites me. It’s challenging but I like that.”

A 1.5 billion-year-old granite boulder was placed outside the nearly completed Erie Shores Hospice in Leamington Tuesday as a symbol of the community’s “rock solid” commitment to health care.

The boulder was donated by Erie Sand and Gravel. It is known by some geologists as the “child of the mountain.”

The boulder was pushed by the ice age thousands of years ago to just north of Leamington, where it was uncovered during mining operations.

“This outstanding rock is a symbol of the support from the Essex County community, for their rock-solid commitment to care in our region,” said Erie Shores Hospice Co-Chair Cole Cacciavillani.

Erie Shores Hospice Co-Chair Cole Cacciavillani and elected officials place their hands on a 1.5 billion year-old granite bolder out front of the nearly completed Erie Shores Hospice in Leamington. The ‘Child of the Mountain’ has found its new home at the entrance of the new 10 bed Erie Shore Hospice in Leamington. The big rock will be a symbol of recognition of the overwhelming support on behalf the county residents and Council. “This outstanding rock is a symbol of the support from the Essex County community; for their Rock-Solid commitment to care in our region,†explained Co-chair Cole Cacciavillani.

With her longstanding experience and expertise as an entrepreneur in the region, it’s no wonder that Shelley Fellows is on the board of directors with Workforce Windsor/Essex and the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation.

“The part that I enjoy most about being on the boards is not only do I learn a lot about the organizations, I learn so much from the people who are on the boards with me,” says Fellows, who is also co-owner and vice president of operations of Radix Inc.

The feeling is mutual. As a well-respected mentor, Fellows reciprocates by giving advice to those who want to start or grow their business in the region.

“I really enjoy mentoring. I like listening and trying to work things out and offering some recommendations to talk through a problem. I find the process interesting,” says Fellows.

“One of the challenges of a small business is that it’s sometimes difficult to grow and develop personally. You can be really good at what you do, but you have to keep pushing yourself.”

Another problem for many entrepreneurs is simply making a choice. “Don’t get bogged down. Make a choice, just make it. Take that step,” she advises. “It may not initially take you where you think you’re going to go, but you’ll get somewhere interesting and you’ll learn something about yourself in the process. Keep going.”

Nicole Sleiman, program director for the EPICentre at the University of Windsor’s Odette School of Business, an initiative to encourage entrepreneurship for students who want to launch their own business, has greatly benefited from Fellow’s guidance.

“Shelley has been a great mentor for our startups. She has led many of them from idea-phase to pre-review and she has been a great role model for our entrepreneurs,” Sleiman says.

“I am incredibly grateful that she acknowledged the importance of a youth member on boards in our area. For example, she accepted me as the first youth representative on the economic development board. She sees the importance of bringing in the next generation to be part of important conversations in our community.”

As for the role-models who have influenced Fellows, there have been many.

“Different people have influenced me. There have been my parents to high school teachers who’ve helped me make tough decisions instead of staying stagnant.”

The importance of working with the community was something her parents imparted to Fellows at a very young age.

“Both of my parents always got involved in the communities that they were in by volunteering,” she says. “They set that example for me. It’s not enough to simply live within your four walls.”

To complement her hectic schedule, Fellows also enjoys her role as wife and mother to two daughters. In her spare time, reading via iPad, cooking a meal that she can enjoy with her family, gardening and unwinding by taking her dog for a walk at the end of the day, all help her to relax.

“I also love to visit the wineries in Essex County. It’s nice to sit back and have a glass of wine and talk calmly about the day.”

Another one of her secrets to decompress is her cottage just south of Algonquin Park.

“It’s very quiet. I like the trees and the water. It sets me up again to come back because I can recharge and connect with nature.”

Despite her love of Algonquin, Fellows also has a deep appreciation for the advantages of Windsor-Essex.

“It’s so beautiful. There’s a lot of natural beauty,” she says. “There’s water all around us, there’s lush greenery and it’s a safe area to live. It’s accessible to the U.S. market and it’s a good place to start and grow a business. It’s a great region.”

From passion for her community through mentorship to attaining personal business objectives, Fellows proves that the age old adage, ‘You have to work at it’ actually works.

“You must promote yourself and you have to take pride in what you do. Talk about it and connect with people who are like-minded,” she says.

“It can take you a while to get to where it is that makes you really happy.” But she assures, “Eventually you’ll get there.” █

Hacking into success

Hacking into software can be risky business, but luckily for Shelley Fellows and husband Ross Rawlings, breaking the rules can sometimes lead to great opportunity.

“Find something you love and be exceptional at it,” says Fellows.

Her advice definitely rang true in the early 1990s for Rawlings, her  fiancé at the time, when his passion and curiosity for computers led him to hack into software application while working a temporary job for a placement agency. The factory was located on the west end of Windsor and he was assigned to be in charge of equipment. The equipment that was being tested and researched had a computer in it, which was very rare in the early ’90s. s

His employer at the time was owned by the Ford Motor Company and Fellows explains how there was a big tour planned for Ford executives to go through the plant.

“Part of the tour was to stop at a particular piece of equipment to get some feedback. Ross had hacked into the software and scanned a photo of one of the Ford VPs and added a feature so when the tour got to the machine, Ross hit a button and the man’s picture showed up. Everyone laughed,” she recalls.

Little did Ross know that in the crowd was the target of the joke, the VP himself. “After the tour moved on he came over to Ross and said, ‘See the name on the equipment? That’s me. He was the owner of the company that made the equipment from Germany.’”

After an invite for lunch for the following day, Ross was offered a full-time job on the spot in Germany as a software development manager. It was this bold step that eventually led to the creation and success of Radix Inc., a 21-year-old award-winning company in Maidstone that creates high-tech solutions to help manufacturers improve the quality and efficiency of production.

Fellows, Rawlings and Nick Dimitrov, VP of engineering, are all co-owners of Radix Inc. Fellows attributes the success of the company to the strengths that each member of the team brings to the table, including each of her 35 employees.

“Everything we accomplish here we accomplish as a team. There is no person who singlehandedly gets things done,” explains Fellows. “People want to work here and for me that is a very big compliment.”

The future objective for Fellows and her team is to continually grow Radix and to sustain its strong presence in Canada, the US and Mexico.

– Kim Pallozzi

The Windsor Police Service is going purple to help raise awareness to prevent child abuse.

The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies and the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society are teaming up with organizations to promote Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Tina Gatt, manager of community development for the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society, said 95 organizations have signed up for the campaign.

“It’s everybody’s responsibility to make sure that children are safe in the community,” Gatt said.

The Windsor Police Service and the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society are teaming up to promote the Go Purple campaign to prevent child abuse. Officers are wearing purple ribbons and cruisers have had the purple symbol place on them. From left, Windsor CAS COO Terry Johnson, CEO Bill Bevan, Windsor Police Chief Al Frederick and CAS manager of community development Tina Gatt pose with a ribbon during a media conference on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, in Windsor, Ont.

The Windsor Star’s award-winning photographers covered the city and county Wednesday. Check out the gallery.

A sign is displayed on what will be the new Cypher Systems Group Greenway on Wednesday October 28, 2015. Cypher Systems Group donated $250,000 for the naming rights to the 25km trail.

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating an school bus accident on I.C. Roy Drive in Lakeshore, Ontario on October 28, 2015. A school bus transporting students to St. Anne High School was involved in an accident that knocked over a light pole.

A line of EMS paramedic ambulances park in front of St. Anne High School, Wednesday as paramedics check over students involved in an early morning school bus accident.

Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare president and chief executive officer Janice Kaffer talks about the partnership with Hospice of Windsor and Essex County for volunteer services including the Burden Bear program, vigil volunteers and Hospice traditions such as the honour guard during a press conference on Oct. 28, 2015.

Joe Perry, director of patient and family services at the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County announces the partnership with Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare for volunteer services including the Burden Bear program, vigil volunteers and Hospice traditions such as the honour guard during a press conference on Oct. 28, 2015.

The Windsor Police Service and the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society are teaming up to promote the Go Purple campaign to prevent child abuse. Officers are wearing purple ribbons and cruisers have had the purple symbol place on them. A ribbon is shown on a cruiser on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, in Windsor, Ont.

The Windsor Police Service and the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society are teaming up to promote the Go Purple campaign to prevent child abuse. Officers are wearing purple ribbons and cruisers have had the purple symbol place on them. From left, Windsor CAS COO Terry Johnson, CEO Bill Bevan, Windsor Police Chief Al Frederick and CAS manager of community development Tina Gatt pose with a ribbon during a media conference on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, in Windsor, Ont.

Tiffany Todd (C) is shown with Urban Home owner Jodi Mason (L) and administrator Jennifer Young on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015. The company runs a contest called Urban Angel where a special needs person gets a complete renovation of their bedroom. They are shown in Tiffany’s room that has a fresh coat of paint before all the renovation and decoration work begins.

The Windsor Essex County Cancer Centre Foundation presented their grant recipients on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, in Windsor, Ont. Dr. Phillip Karpowicz, left, Dr. Lisa Porter and Dr. James Gauld received grants totalling $233,500.

A walker is shown along the Ganatchio trail on a wet and windy Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, in Windsor, Ont.

Grade nine applied mathematics student Lucas Youkhana solves a problem during equivalent rations lesson at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School October 28, 2015.

Math and science consultant David Petro, right, discusses EQAO testing results with reporter Dave Waddell at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School Oct. 28, 2015.

St. Joseph’s mathematics teacher Angie Mooney, centre, assists students Brayden Hoare, left, Nicholas Janiak and Devon Thachuk-Gay Oct. 28, 2015.

All hands on deck as City of Windsor planners Greg Atkinson, left, Derek Heinbuck, Kevin Alexander and Laura Diotte assist the area residents during a Public Visioning Session and Open House at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre October 28, 2015. Public was invited to make suggestions as the City’s Planning and Buiilding Services develop their vision for the downtown.

The LaSalle Vipers Connor Rosaasen and the Chatham Maroons Gus Ford battle for the puck along the boards at the Vollmer Centre in LaSalle on Wednesday, October 28, 2015.

The LaSalle Vipers Tyler Russell and the Chatham Maroons Dede Cato battle along the boards at the Vollmer Centre in LaSalle on Wednesday, October 28, 2015.

The LaSalle Vipers Manny Silverio and Zack Hoffman (centre) crash into the net ahead of the Chatham Maroons Logan Percy at the Vollmer Centre in LaSalle on Wednesday, October 28, 2015.

Sandwich Sabres Liam Rolfe, top left, defends a tip by Essex Raiders Jamil Basilio in senior boys volleyball action at Sandwich gym October 28, 2015.

Sandwich setter Andrew Dureno in action against Essex Red Raiders in senior boys volleyball at Sandwich gym October 28, 2015.

Essex Raiders Brady Rickeard, right, hits against Sandwich Sabres Andrew Dureno at the Sandwich gym October 28, 2015.

The LaSalle Vipers Michael Ruttinger fires a shot past the Chatham Maroons Logan Percy at the Vollmer Centre in LaSalle on Wednesday, October 28, 2015.

Hospice of Windsor-Essex County has formed a new partnership which will see its volunteers offering respite care in the hospital.

The Changing Lives Together partnership with Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare will give patients the same quality of care that they would get at Hospice, except in the palliative care wing. The palliative care wing has 20 “end-of-life” beds while Hospice only has eight.

“Over the last couple months, we’ve working to develop and adapt volunteer practices,” said Laura Lemmon, communications and event specialist at Hospice. “We are working to align our concept at Hotel-Dieu with what we have in our residential program.”

Joe Perry, director of patient and family services at the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County announces the partnership with Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare for volunteer services including the Burden Bear program, vigil volunteers and Hospice traditions such as the honour guard during a press conference on Oct. 28, 2015.

There are numerous volunteer programs to make patients feel more comfortable in hospital and at home. They’ve implemented the No One Dies Alone program where volunteers keep a bedside vigil with patients.

“To be able to bring such long-steeped Hospice traditions, like the honour guard when a person passes away, is a dream come true,” said Carol Derbyshire, executive director at The Hospice of Windsor. “Any way to bring more comfort to palliative care in the community is always what we strive for.”

Patients checking into the Palliative Care wing will also find Hospice Burden Bears on their beds.

“These bears are handmade by the volunteers from donated materials,” Lemmon said. “They are there for people to feel loved. For some patients who don’t want to talk about what they are going through it’s a great chance to transfer their feelings or fears.”

The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County stands as a symbol of hope, providing compassionate care designed to enhance quality of life — founded by Reverend Canon Paul Chidwich in 1979 to address compassionate end-of-life care. It is the first community-based palliative hospice village in North America.

ksteele@windsorstar.com

twitter.com/winstarkelly

Erie Shores Hospice Co-Chair Cole Cacciavillani and elected officials place their hands on a 1.5 billion year-old granite bolder out front of the nearly completed Erie Shores Hospice in Leamington. The “Child of the Mountain” has found its new home at the entrance of the new 10 bed Erie Shore Hospice in Leamington. The big rock will be a symbol of recognition of the overwhelming support on behalf the county residents and Council. “This outstanding rock is a symbol of the support from the Essex County community; for their Rock-Solid commitment to care in our region,” explained Co-chair Cole Cacciavillani.

LaSalle councillors gave the go-ahead for a development on Daytona Avenue worth approximately $10 million.

The 1.3-hectare plot of land, situated between Villa Maria and Westbrook boulevards, is already designated residential in the town’s official plan.

Developer Peter Valente said he expects to have the 15 Tuscany Oaks lots serviced and available by spring 2016. Single-unit detached homes will be built.

The developer will be required by the town to provide $750 per building lot in lieu of parkland development and will have to install sidewalks along one side of Daytona Avenue, plant trees along both sides of the road and provide all services (water mains, storm and sanitary sewers, gas, hydro).

jkotsis@windsorstar.com

twitter.com/JulieKotsis

It’s the time of year that men love and women just shake their heads.

November is Movember — a month when guys toss their razors aside and let their moustaches and beards grow with wild abandonment to raise money for prostate cancer. The Windsor Essex County Cancer Care Centre Foundation has created Grow On Windsor to keep some money in the local community. 

“I think the key point is a lot of people don’t realize we don’t receive the funds from Movember,” said Houida Kassem, manager and director of development at Windsor Essex County Cancer Centre Foundation. “It’s great to support Movember but if you want it to stay local, Grow On Windsor does just that.”

Prostate awareness champions Brian Schwab, left, and Marty Komsa issued a challenge to each other and the whole community to support Grow On Windsor, a Windsor Essex County Cancer Centre Foundation initiative to assist with local prostate cancer awareness, research and treatment October 30, 2015.

The rules are the same. Go onto Growwindsor.com register, print off a pledge form and start letting your facial hair grow while you get donations. Grow On Windsor has already raised $40,000 from local donations and the fundraiser has just started.

“In Windsor and Essex County, we have some of the most generous people,” Kassem said. “So grow your ‘stache and have some fun with it. Ladies can get involved too. One lady told me she wasn’t going to shave her legs for the month.”

Survivor’s story

Jim Fair, of LaSalle, was diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago at the age of 62. His father died from prostate cancer. So when Fair turned 50, he started to get his PSA (prostate-specific antigen) checked each year. After a few elevated levels, he went in for a biopsy.

“I was diagnosed just a few days after I retired,” Fair said. “I was shocked, because I didn’t have any symptoms. I didn’t know a lot about the disease so I spent time online and talking to a doctor about prostate cancer.”

He finally decided to go with the robotic surgery option but had to drive to Hamilton f0r the nearest daVinci Surgical Assisting robot. Last year, $5.4 million was raised through the In Your Jeans campaign and a daVinci was purchased for Windsor.

“November has always been the focus on men’s health issues,” he said. “What’s nice about Grow On Windsor is the money stays in our community to help assist families so maybe we don’t have to go to London, Hamilton or Toronto for treatment or procedures.

Windsor, Ontario. October 30, 2015 – Prostate awareness champion Jim Fair speaks about the importance of visiting your doctor during the kickoff event for Grow On Windsor, a Windsor Essex County Cancer Centre Foundation initiative to support local prostate cancer awareness, research and treatment October 30, 2015.

Where does money go?

The money supports research, awareness and treatment including new equipment such as a $13,000 bladder scanner used to assess bladder function and toxicity of radiation treatment for prostate cancer patients. Also $150,000 in brachytherapy equipment, including a stepper-stabilizer unit used in the treatment of brachtherapy.

Statistics

One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. That works out to an estimated 24,000 men who will be diagnosed and an estimated 4,100 who will die from the disease this year.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Canada.

If discovered and treated early, more than 90 per cent of prostate cancer cases are curable.

How to get your Grow On

Register online at growonwindsor.com or begin collecting pledges or support another Grow Bro team. The website has information on a couple Grow On events coming up including Bottom’s Up! Pints for Prostate Nov. 5 at Manchester Pub, the Mo Bro Mustache Dash Nov. 21 at the Belle River Legion and the Stashe Bash Nov. 27 at the Bourbon Tap and Grill.

ksteele@windsorstar.com

twitter.com/winstarkelly